Nineteen Farmington cats taken for rabies shots, medical care

By Samantha Allen

sallen@fosters.com

fosters.com

By Samantha Allen

sallen@fosters.com

Posted Nov. 28, 2012 at 3:15 AM

By Samantha Allen

sallen@fosters.com

Posted Nov. 28, 2012 at 3:15 AM

FARMINGTON — Since a local feline rescue agency partnered with the Farmington Police Department and began trapping this month to control the large population of feral and stray cats in town, 19 felines have been taken.

The partnership was formed in the wake of a reported rabies outbreak over the summer.

Police Chief Kevin Willey stressed the 19 trapped felines will be returned after they are neutered or spayed and vaccinated against rabies and feline distemper.

He noted the rescue agency Cats1st met with some resistance from the community during its efforts in the past few weeks, largely from those concerned about the welfare of the animals. The agency, based in Newfields, is a grant-funded operation that practices as a licensed, low-kill shelter and has also worked with other neighboring communities.

“They’re fearful that if they’re trapped, they won’t be returned and that’s not the goal or the role of the organization,” Willey explained. “They track. They medically check them. They give them shots, vaccinate, neuter and then release.”

The animals trapped since Nov. 1 are only a few of the 150 felines Cats1st is grant-funded to care for during its yearlong partnership with the Farmington Police Department. Willey previously stated the group will also work to identify large colonies of stray and feral cats near the downtown area to “ultimately reduce the risk of another rabies outbreak.”

In late August, police learned an elderly resident on Acorn Court was bitten by her cat, though resident Paul Duross, who says the victim is his mother, said she was merely scratched. Police reported tests at the state lab confirmed the cat had rabies, and the animal was subsequently euthanized.

At that time officials learned there were several stray cats frequenting the area. Six additional cats were euthanized that week and monitoring of the dead-end street in the downtown area continued. Trapping ensued for several days following, but only one cat was found after police requested all residents properly identify their animals or keep them inside.

Today, Willey said he still believes rabies is an area of concern in Farmington.

“We still have a large number of stray cats. (Cats1st) is working on it,” he said, “but it does take time.”

Residents living in areas with a high concentration of stray or feral cats in Farmington are urged to contact Cats1st to have traps set up there. Betsy Coes of Cats1st may be reached at 603-760-7877 or info@cats1st.org.